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The mystery behind the 'Coronation grim reaper' explained

2023-05-09 14:29
King Charles III coronation this weekend was an entertaining occasion that sparked memes, speculation about the might of Penny Mordaunt's triceps, and criticism for the enormous cost and arrests of republican protesters. But the show was partially overshadowed by a mysterious cloaked figure who appeared during the event, which social media users compared to the grim reaper. In videos of the proceedings posted on Twitter and TikTok, a hooded figure wearing black and holding a stick is seen quickly walking past the open door of Westminster Abbey outside. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Social media users who spotted the figure immediately came up with jokes, with some saying the figure was the late Queen Elizabeth II, or the late Princess Diana, or the grim reaper and others just finding it totally baffling. But there is a simple explanation. When contacted by Newsweek, Westminster Abbey identified the figure as a verger, a member of the abbey community who assists with religious services but who is not a member of the clergy. So there is nothing scary to see here. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
The mystery behind the 'Coronation grim reaper' explained

King Charles III coronation this weekend was an entertaining occasion that sparked memes, speculation about the might of Penny Mordaunt's triceps, and criticism for the enormous cost and arrests of republican protesters.

But the show was partially overshadowed by a mysterious cloaked figure who appeared during the event, which social media users compared to the grim reaper.

In videos of the proceedings posted on Twitter and TikTok, a hooded figure wearing black and holding a stick is seen quickly walking past the open door of Westminster Abbey outside.

Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Social media users who spotted the figure immediately came up with jokes, with some saying the figure was the late Queen Elizabeth II, or the late Princess Diana, or the grim reaper and others just finding it totally baffling.


But there is a simple explanation.

When contacted by Newsweek, Westminster Abbey identified the figure as a verger, a member of the abbey community who assists with religious services but who is not a member of the clergy.

So there is nothing scary to see here.

Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.